24. Alexander the Great and the Old Testament

Bruce Gore

7 May 201531:39

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script provides an in-depth look at the rise of Alexander the Great and the significant impact he had on the ancient world. Starting with the obscure history of Macedon, the script details how Alexander's father, Philip II, expanded and consolidated the power of Macedon through military innovations like the phalanx. Alexander, tutored by Aristotle, emerged as a brilliant military strategist, rapidly conquering vast territories and spreading Greek culture and language across the known world. His empire, the largest at the time, stretched from Greece to the borders of China. The script also highlights the linguistic legacy of Alexander, with Greek becoming the lingua franca, which facilitated the spread of the gospel and the translation of the New Testament. The profound use of the Greek language in the Gospel of John is explored, particularly the term 'logos,' which encapsulates the divine coherence and rationality of Christ, further emphasizing the qualitative benefits of Greek on the dissemination of Christian doctrine.

Takeaways

🏺 Macedon, the homeland of Alexander the Great, was a small region north of Greece, initially viewed as a backwater with no expectation of becoming a significant power.
👑 Philip II of Macedon, Alexander's father, expanded the kingdom dramatically and perfected the military phalanx technique, which played a crucial role in Macedon's rise to power.
📚 Aristotle, a former student of Plato, became the personal tutor of Alexander the Great at the age of 13, providing him with an exceptional education.
⛰️ Alexander the Great is considered one of the most brilliant military geniuses in ancient history, known for his rapid expansion of the Macedonian Empire across the known world.
🌐 Alexander's conquests made Greek the common language of the ancient world, which greatly facilitated the spread of both culture and the gospel.
💡 The Greek language, thanks to Alexander, became a refined vehicle for expressing deep philosophical and theological truths, as seen in the Gospel of John's use of the term 'logos'.
🗺️ Alexander's empire, at its height, was larger than the Roman world and stretched from Greece to the borders of India, influencing the course of history.
⚔️ Key military victories, such as the Battle of Issus and the Battle of Gaugamela, showcased Alexander's tactical prowess and led to the downfall of the Persian Empire.
🕊️ The Egyptians welcomed Alexander as a liberator from Persian rule, and he was accepted as a Pharaoh, further legitimizing his rule in the eastern territories.
❓ The cause of Alexander's death remains a mystery, with theories ranging from poisoning to battle wounds to excessive drinking.
📖 The New Testament narrative, particularly the story of Paul's 'Macedonian call,' highlights the significance of Alexander's conquests and the spread of the Greek language.

Q & A

What was the general perception of Macedon by the Greeks before the rise of Alexander the Great?
-Macedon was viewed by the Greeks as a backwater, a kind of rude and barbarian region with an obscure history. There was no expectation that Macedon would become a great power or a threat.
In what year did the story of Macedon begin to have more complete and thorough records?
-The story of Macedon began to have more complete and thorough records around the year 359 BC.
Who was the father of Alexander the Great and what was his significant contribution to Macedon?
-Philip II of Macedon was the father of Alexander the Great. He significantly expanded and consolidated the power of Macedon, putting it on the map for the first time in history.
What was the military technique perfected by Philip II that played a crucial role in the expansion of Macedon?
-The military technique perfected by Philip II was the phalanx, a battlefield strategy where soldiers stood shoulder-to-shoulder in a tight-knit, highly organized formation that moved in a coordinated fashion.
What was the significance of the city of Philippi in the New Testament narrative?
-Philippi was significant in the New Testament narrative as it was the city where Paul received his 'Macedonian call' during his second missionary journey, which led him to leave Asia and go to Europe to preach the gospel.
What was the name of the famous orator who tried to rally the Greek people against the rise of Macedon?
-The famous orator who tried to rally the Greek people against the rise of Macedon was Demosthenes.
What was the term used to describe the speeches given by Demosthenes against Philip II of Macedon?
-The speeches given by Demosthenes against Philip II were called Philippic speeches.
What was the significance of the city of Olympus in the context of Athenian dependence on the Black Sea region?
-Olympus was a critical seaport town that connected the Athenians to the grain crops of the Black Sea region. When Philip took control of Olympus, it was viewed by many in the Greek world as a rising and true threat.
Who was Aristotle's most famous student during his time as a tutor, and what was special about their educational relationship?
-Aristotle's most famous student was Alexander the Great. Their educational relationship was special because it was a one-on-one tutoring arrangement, which is considered one of the most remarkable educational experiences in history.
What was the outcome of the battle at Konya Caronia between the Greeks led by Demosthenes and the Macedonians led by Alexander?
-The battle at Konya Caronia resulted in a defeat for the Greeks led by Demosthenes. Alexander, at the age of 18, proved to be a military genius and successfully led the Macedonians to victory.
How did Alexander the Great contribute to the spread of the Greek language and culture throughout the Near East?
-Alexander the Great contributed to the spread of the Greek language and culture by creating an expansive empire that stretched across the Near East. His conquests and the establishment of Greek as the standard language facilitated the spread of Greek culture, philosophy, and the gospel.
What is the qualitative benefit of the Greek language in expressing profound religious and philosophical concepts, as illustrated by the Gospel of John?
-The Greek language, particularly the term 'logos,' allowed for a deep and nuanced expression of religious and philosophical concepts. In John 1:1, 'logos' is used to convey the idea of a rational, coherent principle at the core of reality that is also personal, reflecting the nature of Christ and God, thus providing a powerful and profound description of the divine.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 Introduction to Macedon and the Rise of Alexander the Great

This paragraph introduces the historical context of Macedon, a small region north of Greece, which was not initially considered a significant power. It sets the stage for the story of Alexander the Great, highlighting the unexpected rise of this region under the rule of his father, Philip II. The paragraph also touches upon the era of Greek history known for its philosophical developments, following the Peloponnesian wars, and the Greeks' loss of interest in warfare, which inadvertently allowed Macedon to rise in power.

05:00

📜 Expansion of Macedon and the Military Prowess of Philip II

The second paragraph delves into the expansion of Macedon under Philip II, who perfected the military technique of the phalanx, leading to a dramatic increase in the kingdom's power and territory. It discusses Philip's conquests, including the city of Crenna dace, which he renamed Philippi, and the significance of this city in the New Testament narrative. The paragraph also highlights the political and military challenges faced by the Greeks, particularly the orator Demosthenes, and the rise of Macedon despite Greek reluctance to engage in warfare.

10:01

🎓 Aristotle as Alexander's Tutor and Philip's Expansionist Policies

This paragraph focuses on the year 356, the birth of Alexander and the role of Aristotle as his personal tutor. It discusses the influence of Aristotle's education on Alexander and the continued expansion of Macedon under Philip II. The text also describes Philip's strategic moves, such as taking control of Olympus, a critical seaport for Athens, and his efforts to position himself as a champion of the Greeks rather than a conqueror.

15:02

🏺 Alexander's Military Campaigns and the Fall of the Persian Empire

The fourth paragraph details Alexander's military genius and his conquests that led to the fall of the Persian Empire. It recounts Alexander's victories at the battles of Granicus, Issus, and Gaugamela, his treatment of conquered cities like Tyre, and his acceptance as a Pharaoh in Egypt. The paragraph also mentions the mysterious circumstances of Alexander's death and the subsequent power struggle among his generals, which led to the fragmentation of his empire.

20:03

🌐 The Impact of Alexander the Great on the Greek Language and Culture

This paragraph discusses the impact of Alexander the Great on the spread of the Greek language, which became the lingua franca of the known world, facilitating the spread of the gospel. It emphasizes the qualitative benefits of the Greek language in conveying the truths of God, as exemplified by the use of the term 'logos' in the Gospel of John. The paragraph also provides a practical application of the concept of 'logos' to individual lives, suggesting that Christ is the foundational principle of coherence and order in both the universe and a believer's life.

25:04

🙏 The Blessing of Rooting Oneself in Christ, the True Logos

The final paragraph offers a benediction, emphasizing the spiritual significance of rooting oneself in Christ, who is presented as the true logos. It suggests that by doing so, individuals can find stability and coherence in their lives, even amidst challenging circumstances. The paragraph concludes with a prayer for God's blessings, grace, and peace upon the listener.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Macedon

Macedon was a region located north of Greece, historically viewed as a backwater by the Greeks. It was not expected to be a great power, but it is significant in history because it was the birthplace of Alexander the Great. In the video, Macedon's rise to power under Philip II and later Alexander the Great is a central theme, illustrating how a once obscure region became a major historical force.

💡Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great was the king of Macedon and is considered one of history's most brilliant military geniuses. He expanded the Macedonian Empire to become the largest the ancient world had seen, spreading Greek culture and language across a vast territory. His conquests and the spread of the Greek language are highlighted in the video as pivotal to the dissemination of ideas and the Christian gospel.

💡Philip II of Macedon

Philip II was the father of Alexander the Great and the king who expanded and consolidated the power of Macedon. He is known for perfecting the military technique of the phalanx, which played a significant role in the military successes of Macedon. The video discusses how Philip's military innovations and strategic conquests set the stage for Alexander's later expansions.

💡Phalanx

The phalanx was a military formation used by the Macedonian army, consisting of soldiers standing shoulder-to-shoulder in a tight, organized formation that moved in a coordinated fashion. This tactic was highly effective and played a crucial role in the expansion of Macedon under Philip II and Alexander the Great, as mentioned in the video.

💡Democritus

Democritus was an ancient Greek philosopher associated with the era of Greek history known as the philosophic era. While not directly mentioned in the video, the reference to Democritus and the philosophic era provides context for the intellectual and cultural milieu of the time, which was influenced by great thinkers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.

💡Aristotle

Aristotle was a renowned philosopher and student of Plato who later became the personal tutor of Alexander the Great. His teachings would have influenced Alexander's worldview and approach to conquest. The video notes that Aristotle's tutelage represented an extraordinary educational opportunity for Alexander.

💡Hellenistic Period

The Hellenistic Period refers to the era of Greek influence throughout the Mediterranean and Near East, following the conquests of Alexander the Great. It is characterized by the spread of Greek culture, language, and ideas. The video emphasizes the importance of this period in spreading the Greek language, which became the lingua franca, facilitating the spread of the Christian gospel.

💡Gordian Knot

The Gordian Knot was a legendary knot in Phrygia, said to be untied by Alexander the Great, symbolizing his ability to solve intractable problems and rule Asia. The video recounts the story of Alexander slicing through the knot as a metaphor for his direct and unconventional approach to overcoming obstacles.

💡Peloponnesian War

The Peloponnesian War was a series of conflicts between the city-states of Athens and Sparta and their allies, which left Greece weakened and disillusioned with warfare. The video mentions this war to provide historical context for Greece's lack of military response to the rise of Macedon.

💡Darius III

Darius III was the last king of the Persian Empire, who was defeated by Alexander the Great at the Battle of Issus and later at the Battle of Gaugamela. His defeat and subsequent assassination marked the end of the Persian Empire and the beginning of its incorporation into the Macedonian Empire, as discussed in the video.

💡Logos

Logos, in Greek philosophy, refers to the underlying rational order or principle of the cosmos. The video explains how the term was used by John in the Gospel of John ('In the beginning was the logos...') to convey the divine nature of Christ, highlighting the linguistic richness of the Greek language in expressing complex theological concepts.

Highlights

Macedon, a small region north of Greece, was not initially viewed as a significant power but produced Alexander the Great.

In 359 BC, following the death of King Perdiccas III, his son Philip II ascended to the throne and began to expand and consolidate Macedon's power.

The phalanx, a tight-knit military formation, was perfected by Philip II and was key to Macedon's military success.

Philip II renamed the city of Crenna Dace to Philippi, which later played a significant role in the New Testament narrative.

Aristotle became the personal tutor of Alexander at the age of 13, providing him with an exceptional education.

In 356 BC, Alexander was born amidst Philip's empire-building activities.

The Greek orator Demosthenes attempted to rally Greek support against Philip's expansion but faced significant challenges.

At the Battle of Chaeronea, an 18-year-old Alexander defeated Demosthenes, showcasing his military genius.

After Philip's assassination in 336 BC, Alexander the Great inherited a powerful and expanded kingdom.

Alexander's conquests spread Greek culture and language, making Greek the lingua franca of the known world.

The Greek language facilitated the spread of the gospel in the early Christian era due to its widespread use.

The Book of Daniel references Alexander the Great, highlighting his rapid and far-reaching conquests.

Alexander's death at 30 left his empire in chaos, eventually leading to its division among his generals.

The Greek language's refinement made it a suitable vehicle for conveying the truths of Christianity, as seen in John 1:1.

The concept of 'logos' in Greek philosophy and its use in the Gospel of John reflects a deep principle of coherence in the universe.

The Gospel of John's opening verse is a powerful Trinitarian statement, made possible by the nuances of the Greek language.

Christ is described as the logos of the universe and of individual lives, providing a sense of coherence and peace.

Transcripts

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Related Tags

Alexander the Great Ancient History Greek Culture Macedonian Empire Military Genius Persian Wars Hellenistic Era Biblical Context Language Influence Christian Expansion Logos Philosophy